I’ve been listening to a lot of podcasts lately, partly because the radio sucks and I lost most of my music library, but mostly because podcasts are entertaining, informative and a great way to pass the time while I’m in the metro, at the gym, shopping, or walking around. I now have a few favorite podcasts that I listen to every week and I recommend that you check them out.
I use the Stitcher app which is great because I was able to create a playlist of my favorite podcasts and listen to episodes even when I’m offline, which is great for my commute in the metro. It’s available for free download for iOS and Android devices, the only devices that really matter (sorry I’m not sorry Blackberry and Windows).
Anyway, here is my Top 5 Podcasts Countdown (because why not?):
“Its a foggy night, a perfect night for a mystery. The unknown, your fears and those unexplained noises all make Mystery Stories come alive in those chilling tales as told by early radio.”
The Old Time Radio Mystery Podcast makes me nostalgic for an era that I didn’t actually live through. The stories are full of twists and turns and surprisingly good voice acting and sound effects, considering they were made in the 50’s.
Old Time Radio Mysteries on iTunes
Old Time Radio Mysteries on Stitcher
4. Ear Biscuits
“Internetainers Rhett & Link have a weekly candid conversation with other creators who are making their mark in new media.”
Ear Biscuits is a podcast hosted by YouTubers Rhett and Link that dives into the full backstory of many of my favorite YouTubers like Grace Helbig , Hannah Hart, The Fine Bros, and Philip DeFranco. What I found interesting about this podcast is that all of these YouTubers share some common stories about their rise to success. They did not become successful accidently. It wasn’t one video that suddenly went viral. Rather, it was years of continuous work and iterations that made these YouTubers successful. The podcast also presented a fascinating insight into the early days of YouTube and how the platform and YouTubers have evolved over the years.
Ear Biscuits on iTunes
Ear Biscuits on Stitcher
3. Freakonomics
“In their books “Freakonomics” and “SuperFreakonomics,” Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner explore “the hidden side of everything,” with stories about cheating schoolteachers, self-dealing real-estate agents, and crack-selling mama’s boys. The Freakonomics Radio podcast, hosted by Dubner, carries on that tradition with weekly episodes. Prepare to be enlightened, engaged, perhaps enraged, and definitely surprised.”
I look forward to the Freakonomics podcast every week. The topics are varied and always informative ranging from Are we ready to legalize drugs? to Who Are the Most Successful Immigrants in the World? about the Lebanese Diaspora. Every episode makes me think of the topic in a way that I never thought of before. I always learn something new and feel slightly smarter, which may or may not be the case.
Freakonomics on Stitcher
Freakonomics on iTunes
2. Chonilla
“Chonilla.com Podcast (Part of The Chonilla Network) is a comedy no-holds-barred personal journal, blog and podcast hosted and presented by a fun at times real opinionated interracial couple Montrealers Clove and Sherley aka CHO & NILLA.”
Enjoy an entertaining conversation between hosts Clove and Sherley who talk about their week, funny incidents and news stories. Bonus points for representing my city of Montreal! What I like about this podcast is that the conversations are so natural and off the cuff that it feels like you are chilling with hosts Clove and Sherley. One of my favorite segments is “Bible Scriptures 90210” which breaks down the stories in the Bible into 90210 like episodes really highlighting some of the questionable stories and teachings from that time.
Chonilla on Stitcher
Chonilla on iTunes
“Comedians Erin Gibson and Bryan Safi take a weekly look at all the issues important to ladies and gays…and treat them with much less respect than they deserve.”
I find it extremely difficult to listen to this podcast without sporadic guffawing in public, which has gotten me strange looks, even though I do the fake cough thing at the end. Erin and Bryan (we are on a first name basis in my head, so it’s cool) are so quick witted and sarcastic while discussing many important and topical issues. You can also see clips of the duo on Funny or Die.
Throwing Shade on Stitcher
Throwing Shade on iTunes
Podcast pug: image source
Dizzy Rum Kit 